Susan Carter Lee is one of the most sought after portrait artists in America today. She is known for creating beautiful paintings that capture the person's true spirit as well as their perfect likeness. Her knowledge of color, composition, and classical painting techniques makes her paintings not only beautiful portraits, but also lasting works of art.

Working closely with her clients, the artist makes color notes, extensive photographs, and detailed sketches for her clients' approval before she begins to paint the portrait. Susan's love of people, her high artistic standards, and professional commitment to each portrait combine to make the creative process an enjoyable and memorable experience for all involved.

Susan Carter Lee has been a professional portrait artist for over twenty-five years, and her portraits hang in hundreds of corporate and private collections throughout the United States. She has painted University Deans, CEO's, family groups, and individuals of all ages. She has a special affinity for painting children, and is widely recognized for her ability to capture the beauty and innocence of childhood.

From the time she was a small child, Susan knew she wanted to be an artist. She began her formal art studies in Virginia, at Sullins College, where she received the Freshman Art Award; and she graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drawing and Painting. She completed post graduate work in Art Education and taught elementary school art in Atlanta.

A turning point came for the artist while traveling in Europe, where she studied the works of the old Masters. The paintings of Sargent, Velasquez, Sorolla, and Cassatt were among many that deeply influenced her, and contributed to her determination to set the highest standards in her own artistic work. " Velasquez's portraits in the Prado stopped me in my tracks. The paintings were hundreds of years old, but the people seemed so full of life. I knew that I wanted to learn to create art that could bring so much life to a canvas."

Susan's search to learn classical portrait methods led her to additional study at the Art Student's League of New York, and to workshops and seminars taught by contemporary leaders in traditional portraiture. Susan appreciates the instruction and encouragement she received from such master artists as the late Coby Whitmore, Joe Bowler, Everett Raymond Kinstler, John Howard Sanden, Dale Kennington, Nelson Shanks, David Leffel, and Richard Whitney.Today, when her painting schedule permits, Susan enjoys teaching portrait workshops. She feels grateful to the many artists who have shared their knowledge with her, and believes that teaching others is a natural way of giving back. Susan is a member of The Portrait Society of America, The Classical Realism Society, the Portrait Institute of New York, and Member of Merit of The Atlanta Portrait Society.

"Creating a work of art that brings joy to others is a great blessing. Through portraiture, I've been fortunate to meet some extraordinary people, and I've never had a client or a subject I didn't like. I'm grateful to God for my life as an artist, and for the wonderful people He has brought into my life through the love of art." —Susan Carter Lee